Holy Bible
(King James Version)
First
Corinthians: Chapter 14
1. FOLLOW
after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may
prophesy.
2. For he that speak in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but
unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he
speaketh mysteries.
3. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort.
4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that
prophesieth edifieth the church.
5. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye
prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth that he that speaketh
with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I
profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by
knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7. And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp,
except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what
is piped or harped?
8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself
to the battle?
9. So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be
understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak
into the air.
10. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none
of them is without signification.
11. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto
him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian
unto me.
12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek
that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he
may interpret.
14. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my
understanding is unfruitful.
15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray
with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will
sing with the understanding also.
16. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that
occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks,
seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17. For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my
understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten
thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20. Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye
children, but in understanding be men.
21. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips
will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear
me, saith the Lord.
22. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to
them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe
not, but for them which believe.
23. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and
all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or
one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling
down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of
a truth.
26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you
hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the
most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church;
and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first
hold his peace.
31. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may
be comforted.
32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints.
34. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as
also saith the law.
35. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at
home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments
of the Lord.
38. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with
tongues.
40. Let all things be done decently and in order.
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